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Bike & Build

On one of the first build days, we created ADA handicap ramps with Rebuilding Upstate

Most days we ride in small groups (2-6) in a single- or double-file line

Over summer 2015, I volunteered with Bike & Build, an organization that arranges cross-country cycling trips that aim to involve young adults in affordable housing. Over the course of the summer, we bike cross-country, averaging 70 miles a day (the longest day is 116 miles.)

Some days instead of cycling, we volunteer with local affordable housing organizations (usually Habitat for Humanity). On build days, we work on the build site from 8-4 or so.

Wildfires and chocolate. That was today. In the morning, we packed up from camping overnight on the outskirts of Lassen Park, and began our descent (from 4800 feet to 140). Along the way, we passed a small wildfire (with lots and lots of trucks around) and Pumpkinland chocolate, which had delicious chocolates and ice cream (and some free samples!)

Lassen Peak, 1500 feet up (that's after our climb!). In the foreground is Lake Helen.

We overnighted at a local fire station's meeting hall, and they made us warm breakfast in the morning.

Card and signed tee-shirt that we made up for all of the kind folks

Morning briefing, in a coonskin hat. Don't ask me where he got it.

Pine forest in the morning transitioned to wildfire and later to bare rocks as we climbed.

Snacking on a log.

First time we saw mountains since leaving the Rockies! Idaho and Oregon are flat!

Helen and I took a little break from the bikes to hike Paradise Meadows

Pretty woods.

Me, on a log, in a national park, biking across the country.

The trail up to Lassen Peak is visible in the lower-right.

A mudpot splattering away. Click to enlarge!

According to Google Maps, I climbed 6100 feet today, and descended over 4000! The route took us all through Lassen Volcanic Park, an inactive volcano in California with mud-pots similar to Yellowstone's. It was gorgeous.

Someone was nice enough to set up a rest stop with drinks for all of us!

A general store we passed through had these up on the wall. Topical.

More of the store, Adin Supply Company

Leaving Modoc National Forest. Pretty place.

Pedalling through pine forest. Some of my favorite scenery.

Breakfast in the youth room

Today, we rode from Alturas to Cassel, and ran across a nice lady who set up a beverage stand for Bike and Build. She pulled out a cooler full of assorted cold drinks and water, and invited us over to chat for a bit.

This machine consisted of an uncountable number of wheels and fiddley bits.

Pretty.

Lake Ebert, on the right, is the largest lake in the area. When we passed, it was near-dry.

Lake Ebert's dry bed is on the left, and a cool mesa is on the right.

We bought the jaguar as a souvineir!

Here's the fellow's workshop. Messy, with a laser cutter.

On the road again, and back into the land of trees

A few people in the neighborhood put together a BBQ dinner for us. This was on the side of the barn.

Friendly burros!

Todays highlight was a small gas station in Valley Falls, OR. The owner, a friendly older fellow, had a small high-tech shop set up with a laser cutter and some woodworking tools. He related that he made up woodburned signs for local businesses and crafted small jigsaw puzzles as a side business. There was quite an assortment, from animals to people and abstract patterns.

The ride took us from Wagontire, OR to Lakeview, OR, a total of 85 miles on one road. It's a little dull, but very relaxing to ride on such long untraveled stretches of asphalt.

Riley, complete with gas, RVs, and food. As close as you got to a town for 50 miles.

And all sorts of odd visitors!

Napping through the heat of the day

The middle of nowhere can be really pretty.

Like this!

The sign reads "Wagontire International Airport". Don't ask me!

All set up for camping

It's, like, kinda, sorta a real place. Ish.

Wagontire.

We'd been hearing about it for the better part of the trip. How is was a one-man town, populated only by a grouchy old man who had Bike & Build do odd jobs before letting us stay the night.

None of us were excited to show up, and a bunch of people took roadside naps under shade signs to stave off arrival.

Things were surprisingly normal when we arrived - an older fellow and his son were working on fixing up the 6-room motel in hopes of opening it soon. An attached RV park had a handful of people staying.

Along the way, we passed Riley, a five-man town with a post office, combination gas station/RV park/general store, and a few houses.

Here's the inside: it's one of those huge gymnasiums with 30' ceilings.

Today was Amanda's birthday, too. A bunch of us went out for pizza and cake.

Movie night!

Used bookstores are awesome.

Little bit of a postindustrial vibe.

Hey - the place is biker friendly! How cool is that?

For our final day off (tomorrow), we stayed in Lincoln Jr. High. At least, it used to be a school. More recently, it's been used as overflow for the town hall, and a bit of a community center. We had the entire gym to unpack into, which was very spacious. Burns itself was small, but fun to walk around in. Helen and I spent the afternoon in a used bookstore and came back with Packing for Mars, Tuesdays with Morrie, and a few other titles.

The road had very dark and steeply-banked gravel. I like the contrast and angles.

Breaking down the tents in the morning

Here's the trailer, almost packed. All that's left is the water and gatorade

Leah hanging out on the climb.

Drinkwater Pass, 4212'. That's climb #1 done!

I have no idea what this is but it looks cool.

Everyone loves flat tires!

Sky, grass, sand, and a road to ride. That's it.

Bike, water, and two good tires.

You know those graphics that try to make you feel bad about the inordinate number of calories fast food desserts have? Yeah.

We continued southward and westward today, coming up and over two small passes. For the next few days, we were mostly in the middle of nowhere, passing through ranching and farming areas with very few people.